Chapter Five

Chapter Five

Phillip rode through the town on his way to one of the numerous places to get a drink. No carriage today, just him and a horse.

Did he have an ulterior motive for coming in today? Absolutely. He wanted to catch a glimpse of the woman he’d been unable to get out of his mind.

I have not even been away from her for more than a full day and I am craving the knowledge of her well-being.

It was more than that. This woman, Fyre, had become his obsession. Since the moment he’d found out she was the one who had kept his books with such precision. Sure, others could do the job, but not with her joy.

He’d watched her while she was at his place the last time. While she’d been concentrating on the papers before her, he had been doing the same thing, but on her.

Phillip had cataloged every nuance he could to play later in his mind. When she wasn’t there any longer, and nor was her scent.

He’d memorized the way her thick lashes curved up from her eyes, framing them in a sultry manner. How she grabbed the lower left corner of her lip in her teeth as she concentrated. All of it, including the tiny mole below the outside edge of her right eye. There were scars on her and he wanted to know what had happened.

Slowing his mount as he came upon more people milling around the street, he tipped his hat and responded to those calling out to him. Once he reached the tavern, he hopped from the saddle and handed off his mount to a small boy waiting to take him.

Before the kid could go far, he flipped him a coin. Then he strode inside. Definitely not White’s back in London. But also not the dingiest place he’d ever gotten a drink.

Once he’d claimed a table and had a mug before him, he stretched out his legs and took a look at the people around him. Mostly white men, but there were some of darker skin tone. All of the women in there flirted with everyone in hopes of more money or perhaps a trip upstairs for even more blunt.

He had no intention of taking any of them up on it and waved away any and all advances.

“Lord Edais.”

He glanced up to see Albie Caulfield walking toward him, a smile that was as real as any snake’s plastered on his face.

“Mr. Caulfield.” He gestured at the chair across from him.

“Thank you, my lord.” Albie took the seat and pulled off his gloves.

Phillip didn’t rush any conversation. He’d learned a long time ago if you sit there quietly and wait, people will show their hand. Eventually.

And he’d learned to be patient.

Albie licked his lips and took a large drink before clasping his hands on the table. “Forgive me, my lord, if this comes across as impertinent, for I mean no disrespect.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “Typically any statement starting as such is going to be impertinent.”

“It is a delicate matter I wish to speak to you on.”

“Delicate matter that you insist on speaking about inside a tavern? Where you can be assured there are any number of people listening?”

“I was not sure I would be welcome to your home.”

The barmaid returned but Phillip waved her off. He was intrigued and wanted to know what this ass was up to.

“Most are welcome to my home.”

“This is about Fyre.”

Look at that. He was capable of jealousy. Funny thing though, it wasn’t the kind he had felt when he was the outside man looking in at his friend and his relationship. This was bone-deep, primitive and proprietary. Phillip despised hearing that man speak Fyre’s name.

But one didn’t grow up in the society he had without learning to retain his composure. Giving a nod, he encouraged him to keep speaking even without saying a thing himself.

Caulfield took the silence as permission to keep running his mouth.

“I know she is working on your books and you are on her schedule. I was hoping that”—he cleared his throat—“you would be okay with an earlier time.”

Hell no!

Phillip leaned forward and pressed the tips of his fingers together. “Let me make sure I understand what you are requesting of me. You wish for me, the Earl of Edais, to change my prearranged times with the one who keeps my books because you, what, want to be her last customer of the day?”

The color of the man’s skin deepened as he flushed.

“Yes, my lord. I was hoping to be walking her home.”

His thoughts flashed to seeing the two of them in the shop. The way this man had been so close to Fyre and how she hadn’t been receptive. Yeah, he was keeping his times.

“I would not be able to help you with that, Mr. Caulfield. Perhaps you will have to find time to court her outside of working hours.”

Anger flashed in the man’s gaze but his smile never slipped. “I figured I would ask. Perhaps I will change the dates.”

Over my dead body. Or is that going to be over yours?

He shrugged like he didn’t have a care in the world. After all, what could this man, not even close to his personal status, offer her that Phillip himself couldn’t? Plus, he knew she was attracted to him, not Albie.

Does not change a thing. I still want to punch him in the face.

Phillip finished off his drink and rose. “Was there anything else?”

The man shook his head. “No, my lord. Thank you for your time.”

Without responding, Phillip walked out and waited for his mount to be brought back.

“Thanks, kid.”

He flipped him another coin. It wasn’t going to hurt his coffers any but could mean so much to him. A brilliant grin shone from the darker-skinned child before he touched an imaginary hat.

Hands on the reins, he spun back to the boy. “Kid.”

“Yes, my lord?”

He bent closer to the kid. “Do you know Fyre?”

A vigorous nod was his response.

“Good. Where is she right now?”

“I can show you.”

Phillip grinned. “Okay, lead the way. Do you have a name, kid?”

“James.”

“Strong name. Get a move on now.”

Leading his horse as he trailed the boy who was moving fast down the street, he stopped and swung up in the saddle to more easily keep an eye on him. When the child stopped before a mercantile shop, he dismounted.

“There?”

“Yes, milord.”

“Want to make some extra money?”

That head bobbed so fast Phillip almost smiled.

“I need you to keep an eye on her if I am not with her.”

The eagerness faded and worry filled his expression, accompanied by suspicion.

Phillip held out his hand, paused for a moment, then settled it on James’ shoulder. “Listen, James. I think she may be in danger and I am only trying to keep her safe.”

“Her brother thinks so too, ever since she moved out on her own.”

His heart stuttered. She was living on her own?

“You know where her new place is?”

“No. I can find out though.”

“Good. This is between us only, no one else. If they ask, tell them you are working for me and if they have questions, to come to me.”

“I have a job? With you?”

It was a struggle for Phillip not to smile at his enthusiasm. “Yes. I will pay you every day, okay?” The boy’s grin was blinding. “Do you know where my estate is?”

“Yes, milord.”

“Any sign of trouble for her, or you, head there. Do you understand?”

He nodded. “I have to go back to my other job now. I will see you tomorrow.”

James vanished in a flash.

Tying his horse off, Phillip walked up to the door and entered the mercantile. There were so many different items on the shelves he slowed to look at them all.

“May I help you?”

Lord, just the sound of her voice had his breeches tightening.

He watched her walk out of the back, eyes widening as she realized who he was. She recovered quickly though. A small curtsey.

“Lord Edais.”

“Afternoon, Fyre.”

Her eyes adopted a softer look at the use of that name.

“Is there something I can assist you with, my lord?”

God, he longed to kiss her. Just pull her right into his arms and indulge.

“I am looking for some children’s toys. I have not sent my nieces and nephews gifts in a while.”

The suspicion in her gaze didn’t vanish completely but it faded. She walked around the corner of the counter and his eyes snapped to the faded blue muslin of her dress as it clung to her. A simple cloth covered her head, protecting part of her hair.

“We have toys in this section over here.”

As he followed her, he adjusted his hardness, even while his gaze locked on her ass.

This was foolish. I do not know if I can control my urge to touch her.

Not that it mattered. The moment he’d seen her again, he’d known he wouldn’t leave until he’d spent as much time with her as he could.

He is here. Again. Why is he here?

Fyre gestured once more to the section he’d asked her about. Then she stepped back, needing to get to her other tasks. Away from this man.

She didn’t want to. Fyre longed to stay by him. There was something about him that called to her. But she wasn’t a fool, she knew that this man could not just hurt her on an emotional level, he could also ruin her.

A woman of her station in life had no reason to be thinking she could ever mean anything to a man who carried a title. Hell, most men thought women were beneath them anyway, why would this one be any different?

And yet, she couldn’t help thinking he was by the way he treated her.

As well as the way he looks at me.

She enjoyed those nearly hidden looks of heated passion.

However, she hadn’t grown up where she had without knowing how to keep herself safe, so she backed away, even though she had no desire to do so.

“If you have any questions, Lord Edais, please let me know.”

She bit the inside of her lower lip as she left him there to look for gifts for a niece and nephew. Straightening up on the other side of the mercantile, she returned to the counter when another person came in.

This time it was Mrs. Collier. Not the most pleasant woman in the world. She had definite opinions on where people like Fyre should be.

“Good morning, Mrs. Collier.”

The woman sniffed, lifted her nose in the air and looked down at Fyre as if she were shit on the bottom of a foot.

“Where is your boss?”

“Mr. Holmes has stepped out for a while. I would be happy to pass along a message if you would like.”

She glared and stepped closer. “If I wanted you to try and give him a message I would have told you to do so. I sure as hell do not need any n—”

“I think I have what I want to get.” Phillip interrupted the discussion by striding up to the counter and placing down the few things he’d picked up.

The woman couldn’t change her disposition fast enough. She blushed and primped right there, even though the man stood beside her.

“Lord Edais,” she cooed. “I did not know you were here. How have you come to find our lovely island?”

Fyre wanted to back away. She hated when people near her talked around her as if she didn’t even exist. Was she used to it? Of course, but it didn’t mean she particularly enjoyed that aspect of having darker skin here.

His expression was nothing like when he looked at Fyre and she took pleasure in that. He flicked a dismissive gaze over Mrs. Collier before bringing those gray eyes back to her.

“I would like all of these.”

“Yes, my lord.” It didn’t take her long to put them in a box for him. Then she pulled out a book and marked his purchase down.

“I have come to find your island, Mrs. Collier, nice for the most part. There are some behaviors that I find disgusting.” His tone grew cold. “I mean, I am the only one on the island who holds rank, and yet there are others”—he pinned her with his gaze—“who still are of the misconception they are better than other people.”

Mrs. Collier flushed an angry red. “There are proper places for people in the world, my lord.”

His laugh wasn’t the slightest bit kind. “I am aware. However, I have worked with a lot of people and have come to learn that the ones who think they are better than others are typically the ones who deserve the least amount of respect.” He picked up his box. “The ones who try to shame and embarrass others to make themselves feel better are not the kind of people I interact with. Humility speaks volumes. Something you should think about, Mrs. Collier. Ms. Gwen, thank you for all of your assistance. I will make sure your employer knows how valuable you are.”

He walked out, a jaunty whistle on his lips, and her heart twisted as she watched him leave from below lowered lids.

“I never!” Mrs. Collier huffed. Then she too left, however, she didn’t purchase anything.

Alone, Fyre sank into the counter, using it to hold herself up. She rubbed the nape of her neck before taking a deep breath and getting back to work. A tingle ran up her spine and she turned toward the door, not having heard it. It hadn’t moved and she didn’t see anyone there.

Exhaling, she turned back to the shelf she’d been straightening and bit back her scream. Phillip stood before her. He caught her by the upper arms to keep her from falling on the floor and she lost even more breath at the simple touch.

“My lord. You frightened me.”

His thumbs moved in small circles on her arms. Fyre couldn’t help but wish they were on her bare skin instead of the sleeves of her dress.

“Not my intent, however, I did get to have you in my arms.” A fleeting grin. “Therefore, I must say it was worth it, to me.”

She dropped her gaze to the floor and stepped free of his touch, mourning the loss immediately.

While he didn’t close the distance she’d put between them, neither did he allow it to increase. He held his ground. Fyre swallowed and tried to make sense of these unfamiliar feelings that were wreaking havoc on her.

She wasn’t an idiot, she got the concepts of lust and desire. Just like she knew what went on between a man and a woman. Or at least the basics. People talked, she listened, and there was that one time she’d walked by and seen—

“Fyre?”

Phillip’s deep tone yanked her off the path she had been heading down. Heart pounding, she flushed as she imagined herself and Phillip doing what she’d seen. By the time she met his gaze, there were troubling sparks there.

“What were you thinking about, Fyre?” He licked his lower lip and smiled. “Because you flushed and moaned, and I am determined to find out what it was that put that expression there.”

How bad would it be to just follow the cry of her body?

Extremely.

She was colored and had no place dallying with an earl. No matter how much he pretended to like her.

He scowled. “I am not a fan of that look. What is going on in that head of yours?”

She forced a smile. “I am fine, just lost in thought. Begging your pardon, my lord.” A breath. “Was there something else you needed today?”

Phillip opened his mouth but at that moment the door opened once more. She watched him cut his gaze to the door.

“Gwen! I have returned.” He pushed the door back. “Gwen?” Watery blue eyes swung over to him. “My lord? Have you been waiting long?” Mr. Holmes’ pale skin flushed.

“No, Ms. Gwen is here helping me now.”

That mollified the man a tiny bit. Still, he hurried around to peer down the aisle.

It wasn’t her fault, she wasn’t tall enough to see over the shelves and hadn’t heard the door’s bell, she’d been too wrapped up in Lord Edais.

“Mr. Holmes.” She hoped there was enough space between herself and the earl to be proper.

The man flicked his gaze between the both of them. Then he nodded and moved to the back. Phillip glanced back down at her even as he reached for the item nearest to him.

“Are you going to be okay?”

“Of course, my lord. Is there anything else I can assist you with?”

There went that sparkle in his eyes. The one that made her stomach clench with a raw need. Something that scared her.

More precise would be to say, it made her think of things that scared her.

“So many. However, I will head out now. I will see you tonight.” He walked away before she could say anything.

He is not on my calendar for tonight.

At the door, he called out, “Thank you again, Ms. Gwen. I appreciate the assistance in choosing gifts for my family.” Then he was gone.